U.S. Federal authorities in the United States have confirmed they will not pursue the death penalty against Joaquín Guzmán López, the son of infamous drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, if he is convicted on a series of serious charges stemming from a sweeping narcotics investigation. The younger Guzmán, who is facing prosecution in Chicago, is accused of playing a major role in his family’s criminal drug empire.
The decision was formally presented last Friday in a brief filing submitted by U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros. The statement, consisting of a single sentence, confirmed the federal government’s intention not to pursue capital punishment in this particular case. No explanation or justification was offered in the notice, a common practice in such legal proceedings.
Attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, who is representing Guzmán López, responded to the announcement by expressing approval and satisfaction. In an email to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Lichtman remarked, “I’m pleased with the decision.
The elder Guzmán, long considered one of the most powerful and dangerous drug traffickers in the world, was convicted in 2019 on multiple charges related to drug trafficking and organized crime. He is currently serving a life sentence in a high-security U.S. federal prison after being found guilty of running a sprawling international narcotics operation for more than two decades.
According to federal prosecutors, the Sinaloa cartel under El Chapo’s leadership was responsible for smuggling vast quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl into the United States. The criminal organization was built on a violent foundation of intimidation, corruption, and brutality, dominating major drug routes from Mexico into the U.S.
Joaquín Guzmán López and his brother, Ovidio Guzmán López, are alleged to have taken on leadership roles in the cartel following their father’s imprisonment. Federal prosecutors claim that the two siblings helped lead a powerful faction known as “Los Chapitos,” or “Little Chapos.” This faction is believed to have played a central role in expanding the cartel’s influence and is considered one of the primary suppliers of fentanyl—a deadly synthetic opioid fueling a nationwide crisis in the United States.
In 2023, prosecutors unveiled a series of sweeping indictments targeting dozens of individuals connected to the Sinaloa cartel. These indictments, unsealed in several jurisdictions across the U.S., included charges against both Joaquín and Ovidio Guzmán López. Authorities described the charges as part of a broader effort to dismantle the cartel’s leadership and infrastructure.
In July 2023, Joaquín Guzmán López was apprehended by federal agents in Texas. He had arrived in the United States aboard a private jet alongside another major cartel figure, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, who has long been associated with the Sinaloa organization..
Joaquín now faces an eight-count federal indictment, which includes serious charges such as conspiracy to distribute narcotics, money laundering, and drug trafficking. These charges carry the possibility of decades in prison if he is convicted.
In a surprising development, Ismael Zambada has accused Guzmán López of kidnapping him and forcibly bringing him into the U.S. Zambada himself is now facing federal charges in New York, which include international drug distribution, money laundering, and the manufacturing of drugs intended for illegal importation into the United States.
Meanwhile, Ovidio Guzmán López—Joaquín’s brother and fellow alleged leader of the Chapitos faction—was arrested in Mexico in 2023. Following his arrest, he was extradited to the United States, where he now faces his own set of charges in federal court in Chicago. These charges include drug trafficking, money laundering, and weapons violations.
Though Ovidio initially pleaded not guilty, federal court records show that he is scheduled to appear in court on July 9. During that hearing, he is expected to change his plea, possibly as part of a negotiated deal with federal prosecutors. The nature of any agreement remains unclear at this time.
Attorney Jeffrey Lichtman, who also represents Ovidio Guzmán López, declined to provide any details regarding the potential plea arrangement. In a statement, he emphasized that the legal team is focused on addressing the charges and protecting his client’s rights.
The decision not to seek the death penalty in Joaquín Guzmán López’s case reflects broader trends in U.S. federal prosecution, where capital punishment is increasingly rare and often reserved for the most extreme and violent crimes, particularly those involving multiple victims or acts of terrorism. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the government appears to have concluded that pursuing the death penalty was not warranted in this instance.
This development also underscores the complex and far-reaching nature of the U.S. government’s ongoing battle against international drug cartels. While high-profile arrests and indictments of cartel leaders send strong signals, dismantling these vast criminal networks remains a daunting task. The Sinaloa cartel, in particular, continues to be viewed by U.S. law enforcement as one of the most resilient and sophisticated criminal organizations in the Western Hemisphere.
Federal officials have made clear that they will continue to target cartel leaders and their financial and logistical operations. The indictments against the Guzmán brothers and other Sinaloa figures form part of a larger strategy that includes not only prosecution but also sanctions, asset seizures, and international cooperation with Mexican authorities.
Despite the legal pressure, many experts believe the cartel remains operational and dangerous, with younger generations stepping into leadership roles. The Chapitos faction, allegedly led by El Chapo’s sons, is thought to be especially active in the production and export of fentanyl—a drug that has contributed significantly to the ongoing opioid epidemic in the U.S.